Dear Birders,Please take note that this topic is regularly “cleaned” by moving the posts of a specific bird that has been positively ID-ed to the specific bird topic for all to use when trying to ID their bird sightings, and also to read all the interesting discussions about the birds while ID-ing them.Should it be impossible for anybody to give a positive ID for a bird for some reason or another, it will be taken out, because it serves no purpose.Go to Index to Birds Index to Birds and find the topic of the bird you are looking for.

Although many of them are large raptors can be tricky to identify especially the brown ones and the young ones. If you have a photo of a raptore which you battle to identify, this is the place to post it.

Remember only Raptors here. If you need a LBJ identified go here and for all other birds you can go here.

Last edited by francoisd on Tue Jan 16, 2007 4:06 pm, edited 2 times in total.

I just want to thank all of the forumites who post their photos of Raptors, and all of the experts and experienced birders who take the time to assist in the identification of these wonderful airborne predators. You have helped my SO and I to become better at identification, and have provided a lot of enjoyment during the major part of the year when we can't be in a South African paradise. Keep up the great work that you all do!

I recently attended a public lecture at the National Zoo, Boom Street, Pretoria, on this magnificent group of birds. The topic was 'Birds of Prey: their identification and behaviour' and the presenter was Ulrich Oberprieler. This lecture informed us on how to differentiate between the various species, how to get to know the specific groups, their habitat preferences and interesting behaviours. It was such an excellent lecture, well presented, outstanding photos, logical and systematic approach with a very good touch of humor. Not a moment of boredom. (An in-depth 3-day course is planned in June / July 2011)

The lecture was followed by a most enjoyable bring and braai, with them supplying fires, tables and chairs - for only R50.00 per person at the time - a fantastic outing in the middle of a city with the calls nocturnal animals and the sight of sleeping penguins around one. Highly recommended.If you are not living in, or close to, Pretoria, take heart - buy Ulrich's raptor identification guide - The raptor guide of Southern Africa, Authors: Burger Cillie; Ulrich Oberprieler (and/or the Bird guide of Southern Africa by : B. Cillie and U. Oberprieler) available at leading bookstores or http://www.kalahari.net

The first bird has a light-colored eye. That immediately rules out Wahlberg's Eagle and young Lesser Spotted and Tawny Eagles.Options:1. adult Lesser Spotted Eagle2. adult Tawny Eagle

The big bill and largish nostril makes me think that it is an adult Tawny Eagle.

The second bird seems to have a dark eye. That rules out adult Tawny and Lesser Spotted Eagles. The small round nostril also points more towards Wahlberg's and Lesser Spotted Eagles.

The squarish tail and pointy head fits Wahlberg's Eagle best in this instance. Furthermore to that, a young Lesser Spotted Eagle would show quite a bit of white tips on the median and greater wing coverts which seems to be absent here. Tough one, but I think Wahlberg's is a good call.